Hand truck



May 12, 1953 J. H. PRowlNsKY ET AL 2,638,236

HAND TRUCK 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 22, 1950 INVENTORS JOSEPH H. PROW/NSK Y DAV/D J. CARLSON IMM J, H. PROWINSKY ET AL HAND TRUCK /lll//l/ Kil/lll;

May 12, 1953 Flled Nov 22, 1950 May 12, 1953 .1. H. PRowlNsKY ET AL HAND TRUCK Filed NOV. 22, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS SEPH H. PROW/NSK Y tZV/D J. GARLSN May 12, 1953 Filed Nov. 22, 1950 Patented May 12, 1953 HAND TRUCK Joseph H. Prowinsky, Washington, D. C., and

David J. Carlson, Vienna,

Application November 22, 1950, Serial No. 197,148

11 Claims. (Cl. 214373) (Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952),

sec. 266) This invention relates to hand trucks and more particularly to a hand truck which enables a single man to pick up a relatively heavy load, to move it with ease and safety from place to place, and to deposit it without the aid of any auxiliary equipment such as hoists, chain falls, pallets, or the like.

Heretofore hand trucks for transporting heavy loads weighing up to a thousand pounds have usually been of either the closed bed type or the hydraulic lift type. The `closed bed type, of course, requires some hoisting means, usually separate from tlie truck for loading and unloading the articles. Because much extra equipment and the services of several handlers are required, this type of truck is slow in operation and is inefficient for moving a large quantity of articles. The hydraulic truck usually comprises a platform capable of being vertically raised beneath an article which must be spaced from the ground on a suitable platform or pallet. While this type enables a single man to handle heavy loads without aid, it is expensive and usually requires that the load remain on its pallet if it is to be frequently moved, thereby wasting valuable storage space. Furthermore, because of space limitations the conventiona1 hydraulic lift truck is unsuited for moving elongated narrow objects such as rockets, tanks, piping or the like, which must frequently be moved in the direction of their longitudinal axis.

'I'he present invention contemplates overcoming these and other disadvantages by providing a light, two-Wheeled truck of frame construction which is adapted to straddle an object and engage suitable lugs thereon with hooks -depending from the truck frame. The wheels of the truck serve as a ulcrum for an elongated handle portion which provides an operator with suflici'ent leverage to enable him to lift the article when the hooks are engaged therewith. An improved brake is provided for stopping the truck and the load may be set `down by manipulating the handle or by providing means for partially collapsing the truck frame. The truck frame may be completely collapsed 'to enable ready storage thereof.

One object, therefore, of the present invention is to provide a hand truck of the above type which enables a single man to pick up, move, and set down again articles weighing up to a thousand pounds without the use of auxiliary equipment or the aid of manhandlers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a two-wheeled truck of the straddle type is to provide in a truck of the above type an effective dead man control means wherein thel truck is automatically stopped when the operator loses control thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide in a truck of the above type means for gently setting down an article carried thereby.

Yet another object of the present invention isY to provide in a truck of the above type means for collapsing the truck for ease of storage in aV confined space.

Another object of the present invention is to l provide in a truck of the above type means for adjusting the carrying frame thereof to conform to the articles to be carried thereby.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a truck of the above type which is light Vin weight, inexpensive to construct, easy to operate, and affords maximum safety to both the operator and the load.

Other objects and their attendant advantages` will become apparent` as the following detailedV description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of the present invention with a portion of `the' handle broken away to show a 'brake control load;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the embodimentillustrated in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed View partially in section of the rear load supporting hooks of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1V

and 2 looking from the rear forward;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed vertical section of a-rear and forward hook assembly taken on a line substantially corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectionr through the brake construction which is employed in the present embodiment;

Fig. 6 is a change position view of the brake of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view taken on a line substantially corresponding to line 'I-T of Fig. 1 illustrating hand operated nisrn which is employed in the second erniioi'li-u ment illustrated in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary change position view of a portion of 1Fig. 9 showing the tripping mechanism in released position; l

Fig. 11 is an enlarged horizontal cross`-sectiohal view taken on a line substantially coriespohdi'ng to line ii-il of Fig. 8 and showing hand con; trolled tripping mechanism means that may be employed to release a load in the device 'of second embodiment; and l Fig. 12 is a reduced side elevation showing how either embodiment of the present invention may becollapsed for storage. A

'A Considering i-lrst the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that it comprises anchassis Ellywhich includes a rear `fratrie member 2l having elongated side bars 22 inteicon'neetecl at their upper ends by a handle portion 2; and at intermediate portions by a cross bar El 4suitably secured in place by 'i' ttings to the sigle bars .The lower ends 2S of the "side bars 2v2 are each bifurcated to receive a wheel 2B together with the mating arms of similar wheel yokes 2li of a forward frame 'member 3l?. This'latter member comprises a .pair of spaced side bars 3l interconnected at their tops by a cross member @2 which, in turn, is connected to the cross bar 2li of the rear frame member 2l by a pair of spaced parallel drag links y l/Vith reference to Figi 4 it will be seen that the opposite ends of the drag links are oppositely threaded at Sil and 35 for engagement with similar oppcsitely threaded studs '35 and Si? which latter are respectively integral with spaced rotatable sleeves 323 tor supporting rear hook assemblies 39 on the cross 224., and with knuckles lo pivotal-ly secured to -forward hook assemblies M mounted onptheforward cross inem-ber 3'2. The right and left hand threads of theldrag links 33 permit turn-buckle adjustment lci the longitudinal spacing between the rear and -front hook assemblies and fil, and the .pivotal s' knuckles lillA and rotatable sleeves '38 insure that the drag links remain substantially parallel with the ground when the truck is in the article carrying .position of lf. p As indicated in Ythe drawings, the drag links are constructed of two interiitting or telescoping partswa and 33h connected together by suitable pins lli? which'may be withdrawn to permit adjustment or to all-ow complete collapse of the truck tothe Afiat .position of `Fig. l2, thus enabling it to be hung readily on a wall or stowed in con-fined spaces when not in use.

On the right side or Fig. one of the forward hook assemblies di is showncomprising a depending `hook portion which is connected by pins lillI to a suitable meting bracket or cap portion (i5. To prevent axial movement of the hooks on the cross member "S2-Y, the hook .portion i3 may depend through slots d5 in suitable webs il welded to the corners of the forward frame member all substantially as shown.

With reference to Figs. 3 and 1i, it will be noted that the aforesaid rotatable sleeves 3% on the cross bar M are .prevented from moving` axially thereon by the provision of suitable pins i8 which pass through said bar and extend above and below slots (i9 in the sleeves as shown. rThe rear hook assemblies 3Q, which are supported by said sleeves, comprise pairs of spaced plates 5u through which extend pivot pins 5l for support ing hooks 52 which are normally urged to a elosed position by springs 5C interconnecting the forward edges of the hooks and forward projections 54 of the sleeves 38. The lower ends of the plates 513 are notched, as at 55, and the bottoms of the hooks are rounded in order that they can be engaged automatically with suitable lifting eyes' or lugs' on an article when hooks are brought into contact therewith by downward movement of lthe truck handle. The hooks are interconnected for synchronous movement by a hooll.' operating bar 55 (Fig. 3) which may be pulled rearwardly to the position shown in outline in Fig. 4:, when lifting eyes on an article are to be disengaged. However, the hooks may be of such size and so disposed with respect to their pivot pins 5l that they cannot be disengag'e'd freni said eyes until such time as the 'load is supported from below, thus preventing the `accideh'tal release thereof during carrying opera-` tions.

The embodiment of the truck illustrated in l -l and is provided with a novel brake Brakel'i', which is clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6, is simple and oonpa'ct and is or the automatic-setting variety which is particularly suitable for mounting within the confined spaces permitted by the 'wheel rn'oiiting means of 'small vehicles such as the tr'uok shown and described. Though vthe brake of the 'present invention is described as Vit would be used `on the present truck, it should be understood that it is by no means limited lto such ii's'e but, where desirable, may be employed lin combination with any mow able struetuie Since an identical brake is provided for each of the wheels 28 o f the truck a description of one brake 'suliices for both. With reference to'` Figs. 5 '6, the brakeass'eijnbly 'Sli operates within a sleeve Si threaded to the interior 'of vthe lower end of the rear side bar 22. The sleeve 6i is adjustable toward or away froth the wheel 2'8 'for reasons that will become apparent and is retained at its desired position by means of the setscrew E52.

. l brake shoe 53, shaped 'to conform substantially with the 'contour of the wheel and provided with serraticns es' on the friction surface thereof, has lsecured to its convex side a stem til the koutside diameter of which is substantially s'rn'alle'r 'than the internal diameter of the sleeve 5 l. The portion of the stern that is adjacent the shoe 53 is provided "with a large tapered shoulder 65. The up'pe'r end of the brake shoe stem Tril is attached by 'means of pin er to' a depending tongue `55' of a plunger 6E slidable within the sleeve El. The tongue 66 is provided with a transverse slot 'et for receiving the fil in order that the brake shoe ystern @El can move to one side or the other and still remain vsubstantially parallel to the 'longitudinal axis of the sleeve Gl.

The lower end of s aid sleeve is provided with 'a tapered seat @il having substantially the saine angle as that of the shoulder 65 on the brake shoe stem 64. A spring lli is compressed with in the sleeve Si between a 'threaded adjustable plug 'il and the plunger 'lili to normally urge it and the brake shoe G53 toward the wheel 29. Se-

Icured to the upper end of a shank 12 'of the` which is designated generally by the nu'nrier'alv plunger 66 is a flexible cable 73 which leads up to suitable brake control means in the handle of the truck, one embodiment of which will be hereinafter described in detail.

When the brake shoe 63 is retracted by means of the control means aforesaid, the tapered shoulder 65 on the brake shoe stem 64 centers itself in the tapered seat B9 of the sleeve 6| .substantially as shown in Fig. 5. When the brake control means is released, the compressed spring drives the brake shoe into contact with the Wheel with enough pressure to cause it to move with the Wheel in the direction of rotation thereof. The brake shoe stem, of course, moves with said brake shoe wedging the tapered shoulder 65 beneath the tapered seat69 of the sleeve 6|, as in Fig. 6, to force the brake shoe 63 tightly against the wheel thereby stopping the truck. The brake is readily released by actuating the hand lcontrol means while moving the truck slightly in the opposite direction to cause the Wheel thereof to move the shoulder 65 from beneathv the seat 69 of the sleeve.

To increase the compression of spring l0, a suitable spanner tool may be inserted through theopening 'I4 in the wall of side bar 22 and engaged with the spanner receiving recesses 'l5 in the top of the adjusting plug 1|. As the wheel and/or brake shoe E3 becomes worn, the sleeve 6| may be screwed outwardly toward the wheel to move the tapered seat 69 to a position where the proper wedging action will be obtained therewith by the tapered shoulder 65 on the brake shoe stem B4. i

It will be apparent that the brake of the present invention will be equally eiective irrespective of the direction of motion of the vehicle with which it is used. Furthermore, the efficiency of the brake will be substantially constant irrespective of the vehicles speed or momentum, since an increase in either will drive the tapered shoulder 65 further beneath the seat E9 thereby increasing the pressure exerted by brake shoe 63 on the wheel 2B.

One means for controlling the brake mechanism El] is illustrated in Fig. 7 and with reference thereto the brake control comprises a pair of hand grip levers 8U and 8| pivoted near their inner ends on pins 82 mounted on a suitable bracket 83 secured in the handle of the truck. The brake operating cables '|3, which are connected at one end of the shank I2 of plunger 66 of the brake as aforesaid, extend through suitable guide tubing S4 in the sides of the frame 20 and are secured to the hand levers 80 and 8| on the inner sides of the pivots thereof by any suitable means such as the conventional threaded cable sockets 85 shown. The hand grip levers are interlocked for synchronous movement by the provision of pin B6 on the end of one, which is engageable by a fork portion 81 on the end of the other substantially as shown. It will be observed that the inner rear ends of the hand grip levers are provided with rearward projections 88 around which the cable '|3 passes. The projections 88 are of suitable size to provide the necessary leverage for releasing the brakes of the truck when said levers are squeezed by the hands of an operator.

Since the brakes are normally biased to set position by the compressed spring 'lli thereof, it will be apparent that an operator must maintain pressure on the hand grip levers at all times while` moving the truck, since any relaxation. thereon will result in immediate automatic set- 6, ting of the brakes. man control of the truck is achieved which makes it particularly useful for the transportation of explosive missiles such as rockets or the like.

A truck having a rigid frame construction as above-described has ycertain disadvantages in that an operator must manipulate the handle of the truck to place one end of an article on the ground before disengaging one set of hooks and then to ease the other end of the article to the ground before disengaging the other set of hooks. With heavy articles this is sometimes -dangerous because of the possibility of the operators losing control of the handle and dropping the article with possible damage to it and injury to himself.

To obviate this danger, the truck as hereinbefore described may be suitably modified, as illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, and 11, to enable partial collapsing thereof to set down a load without any movement of the handle on the part of the operator. This is accomplished by supporting the cross bar 24 on slidable sleeves 99 rather than on the fixed sleeves 25 shown in Figs. 1 thru 4. A tripping mechanism 9|, best shown in Figs. 9 and 10 and described in detail below, is provided for supporting the cross bar 24 until such time as hand control means (Fig. 11) in the truck handle is actuated to release the tripping means, whereupon, as yshown in outline in Fig. 8, the sleeves slide down the sides of the frame member 2D rotating the forward frame 30 about the wheels 28 until the article rests upon the ground still engaged by the hooks of the truck. It is then a simple matter for the operator to disengage. in turn, the rear and forward hooks from the article. As the sleeves 99 slide downwardly they compress relatively light coil springs 92 which are mounted atop suitable collars 93 fixed about the rear side bar 22. Springs 92 serve to return' the parts of the truck to load-carrying position after the article has been released.

Referring noW to Figs. 9 and 10 one form of tripping mechanism comprises a pawl 94 rotatably mounted on a pivot pin 95 secured in a suitable housing 96 fixed Within the side bars 22. The pawl 94 extends through a suitable slot in the bar 22 to engage the interior of the cross bar stud 24' where it joins with the sleeves 99 to provide support therefor when the tripping mechanism is in the position of Fig. 9.

A toggle link el interconnects the opposite side of pawl 94 with a second rotatable member 98 pivoted on Va pin 99 mounted. in the housing 96. A. cable |90 secured to the member 98 passes therearound and leads upwardly to the aforesaidl hand control means in the handle of the truck. When the toggle 91 is in the set position of Fig. 9, the knee of the toggle lies slightly below center so that a slight clockwise bias is exerted on rotatable member 93 by the weight of the load, .tending to` move the mechanism to the tripped position of Fig. 10.

The purpose of the control means in the handle of the truck is to provide means for retaining the tripping mechanism in load supporting position. With reference to Fig. 1l, the control means comprises a pair of hand grip levers |0| and |92 pivoted on suitable pins 93 mounted on a bracket |04 secured in the handle of the truck. The hand levers are interlocked for synchronous movement by mounting a pin |95 on one which is engagable by a forked portion |06 on :the other. The hand grip levers I0! and |02 Thus, an effective dead in the retracted position of Fig.' l1 'enga-ge 'rotatable cable clamp members lei which have secured thereto in the manner illustrated the opposite ends of the cables Hill. When a load is supported on the rear hooks 39 and a clockwise bias is thereby exerted on the rotatable member 98 as atoresaid, the cable clamp members are urged in the direction or the arrows its, but will be prevented from doing so by the retracted hand levers Ill! and HB2. However, the instant that the operator releases his grip thereon, the cable clamp members It? move outwardly and the tripping mechanism moves to the position of Fig. lo releasing sleeves Gil to enable the truck partially :to collapse as indicated in Fig. 8.

In order that the article will not be set down with damaging impact a `pneumatic piston assembly llt may be provided in the side bars 22. The piston thereof may be provided with an clongated piston rod I 2 having a head portion IIS of the shape shown to extend through a suitable slot H4 in the side of the bars 22. The head portion H3 may engage the slidable sleeve 96 in the manner indicated and the bottom of the head portion H3 may be engaged by the coil spring in order that the lpiston and sleeve @il are returned simultaneously to the load supporting position of Fig. 9. Bufng, of course, is provided, upon descent of the sleeve til, by the restricted escape of air through suitable apertures H5 in the base of the pneumatic cylinder.

After the article has been disengaged from the hooks of the truck, the tripping mechanism may be moved automatically to the reset position. by providing a toe 98' which may project. into the path of the sleeve dil when the release mechanism is in the tripped position of l0. The toe it' is struck with sufcient force by the top of the sleeve 90, upon its return by the coil spring 92, that the 4tripping mechanism is returned to the position of Fig. 9 where it can be retained by pressure on the hand levers llll and Hill in the manner aforesaid.

It should be understood that with the abovedescribed means for lowering an article an effective dead man control of the truck is achieved in that the load is immediately and automatically deposited. on the ground should an operator momentarily lose control of :the truck. Since the irictional contact of the article with the ground should be sufficient to stop it and the truck with but slight forward motion, the hereinbefore described brakes may be dispensed with. However, it should be understood that said brakes may readily be used in conjunction with the article lowering means and such use is contemplated within the purview of the invention.

The truck is operated as follows:

With particular reference to Figs. l and 2, an article, such as 'the crate |263 Shown, is first provided with suitable lifting means such as slings of the necessary length or suitable lugs such as those indicated by the numerals I2! and E22. The lugs, of course, are spaced longitudinally and laterally about the articles center of gravity a distance substantially equal to the spacing bctween the hooks ci the truck but substantially closer to the ground than said hooks when the truck is in the article carrying position of Fig. l.

When the article is to be picked up, the truck is rolled to a position straddling the article and the longitudinal spacing between :the front and rear hooks lll and 39 are adjusted as necessary by rotation of the drag links 33. The operator engages the forward lugs |22 of the article with the forward hooks `l by raisingl the handle of the' :truck a sufficient distance. l-l'e thereupon utilizes the handle of the truck as a lever and exertsa downward force thereon thereby raising the forward portion of the article and bringing the rear hooks 39 into engagement with the rear lugs lili, The operator now raises the handle of the truck to the substantially horizontal position of Fig. l to lift the article from the ground in readiness to be transported to the desired destination. The operator, of course, retains the grip levers in the handle of the truck in a retracted position. (It should be understood that the article is engaged in this manner irrespective of whether the rigid or collapsible frame truck is utilized.)

Upon arrival at the destination with the rigid frame truck, the operator releases the hand grip levers B0 and 8l to set the brakes Bil. He then moves the handle of the truck downwardly until" the rear of the article is resting on the ground, whereupon the operator leans over the handle to disengage the rear hooks 39 by actuating the release bar 56. The handle of the truck is then eased upwardly until the forward portion of the article is resting on the ground at which time the forward hooks I are readily disengaged from the forward lugs H22 by rearward movement of the truck.

To deposit the article from the collapsible frame truck of Fig. 8, the operator merely releases the hand grip levers I0! and m2 permitting the tripping mechanism to move to tripped position of Fig. 10 and the truck partially to collapse until the article is resting on the ground still engaged by the hooks of the truck which are thereupon disconnected from the lugs in the manner above-described.

It should be understood that since the handle of the truck is essentially a wheeled lever it may be of whatever length is necessary to give an operator of average size the required mechanical advantage to lift articles several times his weight with minimum effort. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the truck of the present 7 invention may be constructed with many variations and modifications without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is: 1. A hand truck comprising a rear frame having spaced sides and an open end, a forward frame member having spaced sides and an open end, means for pivotally joining the open ends of said frame members, separately mounted wheels positioned at the joined ends of said frame members, a handle portion. on the rear frame member, horizontal linkage means interconnectlng said frame members at a spaced distance from said Joined ends, a relatively stationary hook carried by and depending from the forward frame member, a movable hook connected to and depending from said rear frame member, rear and forward hook receiving means disposed on opposite sides of the center of gravity of an article to be carried and at a spaced distance from each other and below said hooks, said horizontal linkage being adjustable to alter the relative positions of the frame members and the spacing between said stationary hook and said movable hook to correspond to the spacing between thev rear and forward hook receiving means on said article, said article being picked up when said truck is rolled to a position straddling said article and the handle of said truck is raised to engage the forward hooks with the forward hook receiving means of said article and then pushed downwardly to raise the forward portion of the article and engage said rear hooks with said rear hook receiving means of said article whereupon said article is suspended inV said truck when said handle is moved upwardly to an article carrying position.

2. A hand truck comprising; a frame having forward and rearmembers pivotally connected to one another at one end thereof and having spaced vertical sides of a size enabling said frame to straddle an article, a wheel on each of said si-des, an elongated handle portion integral with said frame, articie engaging means on said forward member in front of said wheels, second article engaging means on said rear member behind said wheels, said vertical sides including an adjustable linkage for altering the relative positions of said forward and rear members and the spacing between said first and second article engaging means to correspond to spacing between` lifting means on said article to enable the 4same to be engaged by the article engaging means on said frame upon vertical movement of said handle said linkage being connected between the forward and rear members of the frame.

3. A two wheeled truck comprising a collapsible carrying frame including spaced sides enabling said truckto straddle an article, an elongated handle integral with lsaid frame, means for sus-- pending an article from said frame between the sides thereof, releasable supporting means for-retaining the frame in article carrying position, hand operated means for releasing said supporting means to enable the weight of said article to collapse said frame and lower said article to the ground, and resilient means for returning said frame to its first position when an article is disengaged from said truck.

4. A hand truck comprising; a frame having forward and rear members pivotally connected to one another at one end thereof and having spaced vertical sides of a size enabling said frame to straddle an article, a wheel on each of said sides, an elongated handle integral with said frame, spaced article engaging means on said frame for engaging and lifting an article upon vertical movement of the handle of said truck, said vertical sides including an adjustable linkage for altering the relative positions of said forward and rear members and the spacing between said article engaging members to correspond with the size of said article said linkage being connected between the forward and rear members of the frame.

5. A wheeled truck comprising a frame having forward and rear members pivotally connected to one another at one end thereof for swinging movement about a horizontal axis and having 4spaced sides for straddling an article, an elongated handle integral with said frame, longitudinally spaced means on said frame for engaging and lifting an article upon vertical movement of said handle, releasable supporting means for retaining said frame in article carrying position, said releasable supporting means including a slidably mounted sleeve carried by said frame and connected to said means for engaging and lifting an article, hand control means operable to trip said supporting means to enable said truck to be partially collapsed by the weight of the `10 `article carried thereby while maintaining the spacing between the means for engaging and lifting an article, and damping means in said frame to retard the speed with which said frame collapses.

6. A collapsible two wheeled truck comprising a frame of a size enabling the truck to straddle an article, an elongated rigid handle connected to said frame, article engaging means on` said truck disposed in front of and behind said wheels at a height greater than said article, said article being engaged and lifted by said article engaging means upon vertical movement of said handle about said wheels, releasable tripping means for retaining said frame in article carrying position, said last named means comprising a pawl pivoted in one portion of the frame and engaging another portion of the frame movable with respect to the rst portion, a rotatable member pivoted in said first portion, a toggle link interconnecting said pawl and said rotatable member, manually operated means for rotating said last named member to move said toggle link to tripped position thereby enabling the weight of said article to collapse said frame, and damping means between two relatively movable portions of said frame for retarding the collapse thereof.

7. A hand truck comprising a rear frame having spaced sides and an open end, a forward frame member having spaced sides and an open end, means for pivotally joining the open ends of said frame members, separately mounted wheels positioned at the joined ends of said frame members, a handle portion on the rear frame member, a

relatively stationary hook depending from the forward frame member,` a movable hook depending from said rear` frame member, rear andfor- Ward hook receiving means disposed on opposite sides of the center of gravity of an article to be carried and at a spaced distance from each other but below said hooks, horizontal linkage means interconnecting said forward and rear frame members, said horizontal linkage being adjustable to alter the relative positions of said frame members and the spacing between said stationary hook and said movable hook to correspond to the spacing between the rear and forward hook receiving means on said article, said article being picked up when said truck is rolled to a position straddling said article and the handle of said truck is raised to engage the forward hooks with the forward hook receiving means of said article and then pushed downwardly to raise the forward portion of the article and engage said rear hooks with said rear hook receiving means of said article whereupon said article is suspended in said truck when said handle is moved upwardly to an article carrying position.

8. A wheeled truck comprising a rear frame member, a forward frame member having one end pivotally attached to one end of said rear frame member, a handle portion on said rear frame member, a first hook depending from said forward frame member, a second hook depending from said rear frame member, rear and forward hook receiving means disposed on opposite sides of the center of gravity of an article to be carried and at a spaced distance from each other below said hooks, horizontal linkage means interconnecting said rear and forward frame members, said horizontal linkage including a pair of adjustable telescoping members which may be slidably moved with respect to each other to alter the spacing between said first and second hooks to correspond to the spacing between the aces-,eee

rear and forward hook receiving means on V said article, and means for locking said horizontal linkage in any adjusted position, said hooks being engaged with said hook receiving means to lift said article when said hooks are lowered into engaging position yby vertical movement of said handle.

9. A truck as dened in claim 8 and iur-ther including a hollow sleeve in the frame and having one end in close proximity to the periphery of a wheel, a brake shoe, a stem rigidly secured to said brake shoe and movable within said sleeve, means .connected to said stem for moving said brake shoe into and out of `contact with said Wheel, a tapered shoulder on said stem, a tapered seat on said sleeve engageable by said tapered shoulder, said shoe being movable with said wheel when in contact :therewith to .move said tapered shoulder .beneath said tapered seat thereby driving said shoe tightly against said wheel to brake the same.

.10. A truck as deined in claim 8 and further comprising ya brake Amechanism including .a hollow 'sleeve having one end in close proximity to the wheel of said truck, -a brake shoe, a stem rigidly secured to .said brake shoe and movable Within said sleeve, a lever in the handle of said truck connected to said stem ,-for moving said brake shoe into and out of contact with said wheel, a tapered shoulder yon ,said stem, fa tapered seat on said sleeve eng-agreable -by said tapered shoulder, said shoe being movable with ,said wheel when in contact therewith .to move said tapered shoulder beneath the tapered seat thereby driving the shoe tightly against the wheel `to brake 1'2 further including a brake mechanism comprising a vrelatively stationary hollow sleeve mounted on said truck frame and having one end in close proximity to the periphery of a wheel of said truck, a brake shoe, a stem rigidly secured to `said brake shoe and movable Within said sleeve, resilient means normally urging said brake shoe toward said wheel, a lever in the handle of said truck connected to said stem for moving the brake shoe out of contact with the wheel, .a tapered shoulder on said stem, a tapered seat on said sleeve engageabie by said tapered shoulder, said shoe being movable with said wheel when in contact therewith to move the tapered shoulder beneath the seat thereby automatically setting the brakes lupon release of the lever in the handle of the truck.

JOSEPH H. PROWINSKY. DAVD J. CARLSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED ,STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 95 V296,152 Thomas July '16, 1878 375,911 Aber Jan. 3, 1888 1,649,940 Villrnot Nev. 22, T927 2,019,256 Dutton Oct. 29, 1935 2,079,719 `schuetze May 1l., 1937 a0 '2,338,645 James Jan. 4, 1944 2,362,749 Gall et al. Nov. 14, 1944 '2,444,690 Almend'inger et al. July 6, 1948 2,576,048 Schum Nov. 2d, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 35 Number `'Country Date 410,287 Germany Mar. 2, i925 @3,555 France Feb. .7, 1944 

